Tractor wheel



Oct. 4, 1932. sc m-r 1,881,135

TRACTOR WHEEL Filed March 27, 1931 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor A llpmey 01.4,'1932. E. SCHMIDT 1,881,135

TRACTOR WHEEL Filed March 27, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 L F -I In uenior gmwfi m. I

A llorney Oct. 4, 1932. I E, sc DT 1,881,135

TRACTOR WHEEL Filed March 27. 1951 s Sheets-Sheet s Inventor A llomey UNITED STATES P AT'E r ori ice Patented Oct. 4,1932

EDWIN SCHMIDT, or CATOOSA, OKLAEOIA.

Application filed March 27, 1931. SeriaI No. 5259767.

This'invention relates broadly'to traction wheels, and has more particular reference to such type of traction wheel as is usually provided on farm tractors.

An important object of the present invention is to simplify and improve the construction of such traction wheels as are provided shown in retracted position.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the Wheel pe-' riphery.

vFigure 3 is a fragmentary detail elevational view for clearly illustrating the means for retracting and projecting the lugs, the rim being shown in section. V

Figure 41 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail elevational view for clearly illustrating a spoke and traction lug associated therewith.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a tractionlug. a

Figure 7 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on the line 77 of Figure 5.

With reference more in detail to the drawingsiit will be seen that my improved traction wheel comprises a hub 5 having a fixed sleeve 6 disposed concentrically thereof. Sleeve 6 hasintegral therewith and project .ing radially therefrom in staggered circumferentially spaced'relation spokes 7 formed of metal or any other suitable and durable material. Spokes 7 at their outer ends are connected to a rim 8. Each of the spokes 7 adjacent its outer end is provided with an elongated guide sleeve 9. Slidably mounted, in the sleeves 9 are traction lugs or grousers 10, and each of these grousers is formed preferably of metal and is channel shaped in cross section opposite portions of the grouser or lug 10 at the ground engaging end thereof being beveled-as at 11.

For each traction lug or grouser 10 there is provided a link 12 that at one end is piv; it otally engaged with a wrist pin 13 extending-$ between the sides of the grouser or lug.

Disposed concentrically on hub 5 and arranged atopposite' sides ofsleeve 6 area-djusting rings 14 to which are pi'votally engaged as at 15 the inner ends of'the links 12; It is thought apparent,- that the links 12 serve to retain the adjusting rings on the hub against outward axial movement relative to the hub, but of course it is to be understood that other additional means such ca as collars on the ends of the hub or the like may be utilized.

Each of the adjusting rings 14 is provided with a series of rack teeth 16 in mesh with pinions 17 provided on the ends of am shaft 18; Shaft 18 is journalled in a bifurcated arm or projection 19 integral with and extending radially from sleeve 6.

Splined to shaft 17 and operable within the furcations of arm 19 is a relatively large" .gear wheel 20 that is in mesh with a pinion 21 'splined to a shaft 22 suitably mounted in the hub 5 in parallelism to the axis of the wheel. Shaft 22 at one end thereof is prov vided with a squared end 23 to facilitate en so gagement therewith of a suitable tool for rotating shaft 22.

' As shown in Figure 2, the rim 8 opposite the outer end of each guide sleeve 9 is pro-, vided with an opening through which is slidable the ground engaging end of a grouser or lug 10.

In operation, to advance or retract the traction lugs or grousers'lO, shaft 22 may be, manually rotated and through the medium of the gearing described, rotative movement will be imparted to the adjusting ring 14 for advancing or retracting the lugs or grousers according to the direction of ro-. tation of the ring. Manifestly, through the medium of the gearing, the grousers or lugs may be fully or partially projected or retracted as desired.

From a study of Figure 1, it will be noted that each of the guide sleeves 9 is slotted longitudinally to accommodate the link 12. It will be further noted,- that, the guides9 are mounted on or are integral withfthe .spokes of the Wheel, thus providing for a l stronger and more durable traction wheel that; is obtained in those types of traction wheelsthatrequirei. guide means fortheretractiblelugs orfgrousersseparate andapart 1." 1 1 from the spokes-'of'the Wheel. -Further,jit

'10 will be noted that when the lugs-or grousers v are in fully retracted position; the guides 9 1 are of suitable length as to provide'a shield "or casing for the retracted lugs, sothatp'os f V sible injury of the lugs-becoming nicked, 15 broken, or otherwiseh'armed, isireducedfto j,;.a =minimum Furthen'the guide sleeves "-91 being'int egraljwithjthespokes 7 and the rim 7' f S provide reinforcementforytherim.

Even though .I have hereinsh'own and de 2 scribedthe preferred embodiment of the invention, it'is'tobeunderstood-thatthesame is susceptible of changes, modifications and improvementscoming' within the scope of the ,appendedclai-m.

5 Having thusdescribed invention-,iwhat Af lugequipped-traction Wheel ineluding i in combination, a-hub,-a lug adjusting ring v rotatably mounted.onithe hubglsaid hub be- 7 V v I i; W ing provided' with a radial notch, a rotatable V shaftextendingaxiallythrough the hub and provided with a pinion arranged in's'aid V .i'nptch; a sleeve extending about, said huband fixed-theretog-said sleeve having abifurcated he? "radial proje'ction,a shaft rotatably-supporb ed bysaidi projectionrland providedqwith a gear arranged between the armsbf said bifurcations meshingv withsa'idipinion, and

means fortransmitting movement ofithe see- .ond'-named shaft to said, adjustirigring.

In testimony whereof. I aflix my signature. 7 

